Mission Statement

Our mission is remembering, recognizing, and honoring all those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and celebrating St. Augustine's pivotal role in the passage of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read more

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Mission Statement

Our mission is remembering, recognizing, and honoring all those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and celebrating St. Augustine's pivotal role in the passage of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Description

The Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc. (ACCORD) was envisioned in 2002 after the interment of one of the Black Community's Civil Rights Sheroes, Mrs. Katherine Twine. On that December afternoon, a few people gathered at the South Seas Restaurant to have lunch. Those in attendance talked about the upcoming 40th year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit to the Nation's Oldest City leading a nonviolent campaign against segregation and discrimination. Those in attendance discussed the possibilities of having some type of celebration or commemoration. One person in particular left with a mission: to get the job done.

David Nolan, local historian contacted a person with whom he thought might be interested in helping and gave an instruction to that person to put a thinking cap on. From that humble beginning, the ball started rolling and the 40th ACCORD, Inc. is a result. A group of committed citizens organized and became incorporated in January, 2004. Since our inception, we have sponsored many events and participated in numerous activities to bring recognition and honor to the many Heroes and Sheroes of the Civil Rights Movement of St. Augustine, Florida. Our mission is to remember, recognize, and honor all of those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and to celebrate St. Augustine’s pivotal role in the passage of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The ACCORD Freedom Trail is one of our greatest tasks to date. Through the generosity of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, Phase I and II of the ACCORD Freedom Trail has been launched. The first ten markers on the trail were unveiled in 2007 and the next ten were unveiled in 2008. Our goal is to increase the nation's awareness of one of the greatest events that took place in American History. With the aid of the faithful few committed citizens, our Senior Advisors, Dr. R B Hayling & Attorney Dan R. Warren , our sponsors and supporters, we will continue to press onward and upward. We've come this far by faith!

Previous Events

The 40th ACCORD, Inc has collaborated with several organizations locally and nationally to present to the public the history of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine, FL. These events has touched many audiences from all over the nation; who were interested in hearing the untold and well-kept secrets of the city’s past, including the honoring of key demonstrators by Governor Jeb Bush. The organization developed and distributed Commemorative booklets and programs nationwide.

In addition, the National Library of Congress archived the 2004 City-Wide Anniversary Celebration’s Commemorative booklet in Washington D.C. The 40th ACCORD, Inc. events draw many citizens from the local community, local media, and newspaper personnel. Events sponsored by 40th ACCORD receive recognition and are attended by the following dignitaries or their representatives: Governor Jeb Bush (Ms. Leslie Steele) , U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (Ms. Michelle Barth) , Florida State Senator Tony Hill, Dr. Robert B. Hayling, leader of the St. Augustine Movement, +Miss Dora McDonald, Dr. King's personal secretary and confidant, City Commissioner and Former Mayor George Gardner, City Commissioner Errol Jones, Dr. Joseph Joyner, Superintendent of St. Johns County Schools, Tommy Ford, Actor from sitcom "Martin", Mr. Richard Burton, Sr., NAACP National Board Member, among others. Several of these events are listed below:

Special Civil Rights Cancellation Ceremony, celebrating the release of 10 National Civil Rights Stamps & Demonstrators of the Civil Rights Movement, co-sponsored by USPS, at the St. Augustine Postal Service, August 2005

2006

Courageous Women of Colors Recognition Service at the Historic St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Keynote speaker was Miss Dora E. McDonald personal secretary, aide, confidante`, and family friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mr. Charles Allen Lingo, guest speaker, white gentleman who was arrested along with other Black Demonstrators in 1964 when then owner, James "Jimmy" Brock poured acid in the Monson Pool. This was the 38th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King. April, 2006